A/N: What's this? An update within six months of the last one? *gasp* And the only reason it took as long as it did was because I was marathoning Daredevil and Gravity Falls.

Chapter 10: Aftermath of a HORRIBLE Mistake

The incident with Rajan caused me to stay in my room for the entirety of the next day. I couldn't bring myself to move due to shame and the incredible soreness in my lower half. Nor could I bring myself to speak to anyone who knocked on my door. I just stayed curled up on my bed and didn't move. I was hungry by the time night fell, extremely hungry. I hadn't eaten anything the day before, and I certainly hadn't that day. The soreness had passed, somewhat, by around 9 that night, and so I slowly crept out of bed and peeked out of the room. The hideout was dark and quiet, with only the sound of the TV from the living room and quiet music from Ritchie's room.

I figured I'd be safe if I just took it slow and avoided the living room as much as possible.

So I crept out, still incredibly sore and wincing with each step, and went downstairs. Lindsey and Rudy were cuddling on the couch, watching some movie on TV. They weren't likely to notice me, and they were definitely more welcome to notice me than Rajan was. I snuck past them anyway. I still didn't want to talk to anyone. I got some food from one of the cabinets and went back upstairs. I left the food in my room and tried to make no noise as I went past Rajan's room to go to the bathroom. I might be a thief, but even I make some noise when I'm hurt.

Judging by the fact that he didn't emerge from his room, I didn't make enough noise to wake him up or pique his interest. I was still bleeding from the previous night's activities, I noticed with some disgust while in there, and quickly threw my shirt and the shorts I was wearing into the hamper. I decided to take a shower, partially to wash away the blood and partially to wash away my shame.

"I can't believe I did that..." I muttered, standing under the too hot water, "Can't believe I wasted my first time on Rajan... On a guy I'm probably never going to be with again... We aren't even together... God I feel like a whore..."

I spent about an hour in there, lamenting my stupidity and calling myself quite a few rude names. I was so disappointed in myself.

This was why I stayed single! To avoid this kind of stuff. To avoid losing my virginity to the wrong person and regretting it. Fat load of good that did me, right?

When I got out of the shower, I was still muttering to myself. I wrapped myself in a towel, knowing no one would be up by now except Ritchie, since Rudy and Lindsey were often in bed by 9:30 and Rajan didn't follow the whole stereotype of cats being nocturnal. Ritchie was just a late to bed type, but he wouldn't bother me. I didn't know if Atlas was up, but it wasn't like he came out of his room except to eat.

I headed back to my room, a little less sore after the shower, and laid down. I ate some of the food I had gotten from the kitchen and just lounged around. I hadn't done much but sleep and hate myself the whole day, so I wasn't very tired. I was still laying there, eating, when a knock suddenly sounded on my door. Checking the clock I realized it was about two in the morning, and knew it could really only be Ritchie. I slowly got up and made my way to the door and opened it.

"Oh, you're finally awake." He said, seeming relieved. It was, as I had thought, Ritchie. "I was beginning to think you died."

"Nah..." I looked away, "Just made a horrible mistake and didn't want to talk to anyone."

"You and Rajan did it, didn't you?" He asked, eyebrow raising.

I nodded, clenching my teeth. He sighed.

"Did you use -"

"Yes."

"Alright. Good. Are you ok?"

"Kind of sore... Really mad at myself."

"Alright." He shook his head, "I'm not going to give you any shit about it, Sophster. You've probably given yourself enough and we just made up yesterday and I don't feel like getting kicked in the dick."

I smiled ever so slightly. At least Ritchie was smart. And kind of funny. He smiled as well.

"Wanna go sit in my room, play tic tac toe, and eat junk food?" He asked.

"Was Tennessee Kid Cooper the best outlaw of the old west?" I grinned.

"Let's go." He picked me up, knowing I was sore, and carried me to his room.

He must have known I was having trouble sleeping and wanted to entertain me, as I was practically his little sister at this point. All our arguments and my treatment of him when Keaton was busy blowing things up aside, we had become very good friends and he was the best brother I could have asked for. Well, big brother that is. Rudy was the best little brother.

We spent most of the night watching horror movies and eating random ass junk food. We actually did that fairly often, mostly when no one else was at the Hideout. We didn't like the questions that arose from us watching movies together and cuddling on his bed. For all intents and purposes we'd friendzoned each other, but everyone else didn't seem to get that. They assumed we were together for no reason except that we did this.

"Hey, Rich..." I said as the credits rolled for Silent Hill, the most recent movie we'd put in.

"Yeah?" He asked, heading over to the dvd player.

"What do you think about everybody thinking we're together when we do this?" I asked, honestly curious.

He thought about it for a moment, slowly setting the dvd back in its case. "Well," He began, "I think it's a stupid thought. You and I both know we'd never be together. Hell. We'd probably never even kiss, except on a dare."

I nodded, "Damn straight, I'd only kiss you on a dare. You're like a brother to me."

Ritchie chuckled and set down the case for Silent Hill. "Any other movies you wanna watch?"

"Nah." I yawned and shook my head.

Ritchie chuckled again, "Go to bed, Soph. You can crash on my couch. I'll say I was giving you a checkup and had to put you under."

"Kay." I flopped on the couch and passed out pretty much instantly.